Portable massage and exercise machine



June 2, 1931. F. A/ANDERSON 1,808,333

PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Nov 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet2 June 2, 1931. F. A. ANDERSON PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINEFiled Nov. 20, 1928 4' Sheets-Sheet 3 (fa/em WW 772a M I June \2, 1931.

F. A. ANDERSON PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 19284 Sheets-Sheet 4 E15 Z Mrsan Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE FRITZ A. ANDERSON, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE BURIDICKOORPORA- V TION, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELA'WAREPORTABLE MASSAGE-AND EXERCISE MACHINE Application filed November 20,1928. Serial No. 320,664.

This invention relates to an exercising,

and massaging machine.

It will be described with particular reference to a portable exercisingand massaging machine.

An exercising machine of the type adapted to be used in the ordinaryhousehold is frequently moved out of the way into a convenient nook orcorner when not in use, and

1% in order for it to maintain its popularity it must be of such weightand size that it may be readily brought out and put in operation withlittle inconvenience. Another factor in the success of such a device isthe ease and simplicity with which it may be adjusted to produce thevarious degrees of movement suited to different individuals and todifferent treatments.

In employing a mechanical device for artificial massage and .flexing ofthe muscles of the body to promate the development I of the muscles andstimulate the circulation of the blood, it is desirable to simulate asnearly as possible the movements employed when the massaging is donemanually as cising and massaging apparatus in which the applicator beltis moved 1n such a manner as to produce a kneading action.

A further object is to provide an apparatus in which the applicator belthas a movement of translation in addition to an oscillating movement. v

-A further object is to provide an exercising and massaging machine inwhich the massaging effect is increased by the peculiar movement oftheapplicator belt.

The mechanical de-.

Afurther object is to provide a machine of this type which is light andcompact and yet sturdy in construction.

A further object is to provide a machine which is'readily adjustablewhile in action to produce different intensities of movement.

Other objects and advantages will here inafter appear.

An embodimentof the invention 'isillustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, where- 1n:

Fig. l is a front elevation partly in sec tion of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the apparatus shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is'a planview of the apparatus;

Fig. is a detailedview partly in section. of the hook for attaching the,applicator to the rocker arm.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view ofthe eccentric bearing of the rocker arm withthe dust cap 7 what bell shaped, base 11 is shown for supporting theapparatus. The base is closed underneath by a plate 10 to exclude dust.

Extending upwardly from base 11 is a rectangularhousing 12 to which amotor 13 is attached. Motor 13 is positioned vertically and has itsshaft 14 extending into the base.

The lower end of shaft 14' carries a driving pulley 15. I

Housing12 is provided with a pair of bearings 16and 17in which avertical shaft 18 is journaled. Shaft 18 is provided at its lowerend-with a pulley 19 and a belt 21 passes from this pulley around motorpulley for rotating shaft 18. The upper end of shaft 18 is provided withan eccentrically V mounted collar 22 which is secured to the shaft by apin 23. A ball race .24is secured tocollar 22 by means of a washer 25which is held in engagement with the end of the shaft by a nut 26.

A rocker arm 27 is provided with a bearing cup 28 in which'a companionball race 29 is secured. A plurality of ball bearings 31 are placed inannular grooves provided in the ball races and serve to rotatably mountthe rocker arm bearing on shaft 18 and prevent longitudinal movement ofthe rocker arm with respect to the shaft.

The lower end ofbearing cup 28 is provided with an annular groove whichis adapted'to retain a washer of felt or similar material for thepurpose of preventing the lubricant from the bearing to pass downwardlyalong collar 22. A cap 33 is secured over the bearing bya plurality ofscrews to exclude dust and foreign matter therefrom.

Rocker arm 27 is provided with a bearing 35 intermediate its length anda link 36 is pivotally attached to the rocker arm by pin 34 which isjournalled in bearing 34.

The opposite end of link 36 is pivotally mounted upon housing 12 by apivot pin 37 which is secured to the housing. Link 36 when in itscentral position is perpendicular to the rocker arm 27. A movement ofthe link about pivot pin 37 will cause a movement of translationof therocker armand cause it to move forwardly and rearwardlv. A movement ofrocker arm 27 about pivot 3% will cause an oscillating movement of therocker. arm. It, therefore, the rocker arm is moved in such a mannerthat link 36 will pivot about its pivot pin 37 and the rocker arm willat the same time pivot about pivot pin 34, a combined movementofoscillation and translation will be obtained. A looped applicator belt40 attached to the ends of the rocker arm will, due to this movement ofthe rocker arm, not only move to and'lro but the loop of the belt willbe drawn toward and permitted to recede from the machine, therebygreatly enhancing the massaging effect. j

The rocker arm is provided with a counterweight 38 on one side of pivotpin '34 which is similar in appearance to the hearing on the oppositeside of the pivot pin and a cap 39 similar to cap 33 is placed over thecounterweight for symmetry of appear.

ance.

The ends of rocker arm 37 are provided with longitudinal slots 4:1 inwhich hooks 42 are secured. These hooks serve as at taching means bywhich applicator 40 is attached to the arms. Hooks 42 are provided withwashers -13 which are attached to .hook extending through thelongitudinal slot is threaded to receive a wing nut 46. A washer 47carrying a pointer 48 at its forto indicate the length of the arc ofoscillation'of the rocker arm at that point.

In order to vary the amplitude of the v movement of the applicator, theposition of hooks 42 may be shifted along the rocker arm. This isaccomplished by releasing or unthreading wing nut 46. When this nut isreleased spring 47 will disengage flanges 51 from notches 52 and thehook may be freely shifted along the rocker arm, in accordance with theamplitude of movement desired. The setting of the hook to obtain theproper amplitude of movement is facilitated bv scale53. lVhentheliooklias been spaced in the desired position, wing nut 46 is threadedon to the hook forcing the flanges of washer 47 into the notches on therocker armto firmly secure the hook in position during operation of theapparatus.

A switch 71 is. conveniently arranged in the forward part of the housingand has a control. lever 72 extending through its for ward wall,, whereit may be conveniently reached by the operator while exercising with themachine. A cord 7 3 leads from the switch through an aperture 74 in base11.

'A coil spring 7 5 surrounds a portion of the position to be used it isplaced upon a standor table of suitable height andsecured in positionbyastrap 61 which is attached to the apparatus by means of a plate 62 whichisypermanently attached to the strap. The strap is provided with abuckle (Se-for adjusting its length and at the end opposite theapparatus it is provided with a plate 65 having a plurality of aperturestherein for; receiving bolts or screws 66 by which. the

strap may be attached to a wall or WlIlClOW sill or any other suitableplace. The plate 62 is provided with a circular opening 68 which has atits forward end a'longitudinal slot, By this means the plate 62 can bereadily attached to a bolt 70 carriedby the apparatus, having asuitablehead over. which the aperture 68 of; plate 62 is threaded so thatwhenthe body-0f bolt'70 is drawn into the longitudinal slotthe strap 61will not becomedisconnected while the strapis main.

tained taut.

'The apparatus described may be readily adjusted to provide theintensity of movement suited for different individuals. One of theoutstanding features of the invention is the fact that it produced amovement having an oscillating and a translating component which resultsin a massaging effect which has not been heretofore achieved.

Having described the nature and embodiments of my invention, what Idesire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows 1. In anexercising and massaging ma chine, a support, a pivot pin mounted on thesupport, a link pivoted on the pivot pin, a rocker arm pivotally carriedby the link, and means for imparting a movement of combined oscillationand translation to the rocker arm comprising a bearing element in saidarm, a second bearing element operably engaging concentrically withinthe first said bearing element, and means for rotating said secondbearing element eccentrically about a fixed axis.

2. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker armfor actuating the applicator, a mounting for the rocker arm adapted topermit a movement of oscillation and translation of the rocker arm, andmechanism for actuating the rocker arm to cause an oscillating andtranslating movement. comprising an eccentric element journaled in saidrocker arm at a point spaced from said mounting and a ro- V tatableshaft mounted to rotate on a fixed axis and secured to said eccentricelement.

3. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker armfor actuating the applicator, a link pivotally attached to the rockerarm intermediate its length, a pin for pivotally securing the op-.posite end of the link a bearing carried by the rocker arm, and aneccentric element journalled in the bearing and a rotatable shaftmounted to rotate on a fixed axis and secured to said eccentric elementfor producing a combined translating and oscillating movement of therocker arm.

4. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker armfor operating the applicator having an elongated slot and provided witha plurality of notches, an attaching member for attaching the applicatorto the rocker arm, said member having a threaded portion extendingthrough the slot in the rocker arm, a washer having a flange forengaging a notch in the rocker arm and adapted to be placed over thethreaded portion of the attaching member, a spring interposed betweenthe rocker arm and the washer for disengaging the flange of the washerfrom the notch in the rocker arm, and a nut for engaging the flange ofthe washer with a notch in the rocker arm to secure the attaching memberin position.

5. In an exercising and massaglng machine, a vertical shaft, aneccentric wheel mounted thereon, a rocker arm adapted to be actuated bysaid eccentric wheel, a link pivotally connected to the rocker arm, asupport for pivotally carrying the opposite end of the link anapplicator attached to the rocker arm, and means for rotating thevertical shaft thereby imparting an oscillating and translating movementto the rocker arm.

6. A portable exercising and massaging machine, comprising a base, amotor mounted on the base, said motor having a vertical shaft extendinginto the base, a pulley carried by the motor shaft, a support extendingupwardly from the base, a bearing carried by the support, a verticalshaft journalled in said bearing, a pulley carried by the lower end ofsaid shaft adapted to be rotated by the pulley on the motor shaft, aball race eccentrically mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft,a rocker arm having a companion race, a plurality of ball hearings insaid races rotatably mounting the vertical shaft in the rocker arm, alink pivotally attached to the rocker, arm intermediate its length, andan applicator adapted to be actuated by the rocker arm.

Inwitness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day ofNovember, 1928. FRITZ A. ANDERSON.

